Clinicopathological Characteristics of the primary and metastatic Hepatic Neuroendocrine Tumors and the relevant Prognosis-Related Factors: A Retrospective Study of 81 Cases in a Single Chinese Center

Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumor with repeated diarrhea and flushing face: A case report and literature review

Introduction and importance

Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumors (PHNET) are neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) originate from liver, they are rare kind of NETs, and only account for about 0.3 % of all NETs. The main symptom of PHNET is abdominal pain, diarrhea and flushing only account for about 7.2 % and 4.3 %, respectively. We report a PHNET patient with diarrhea and flushing face and review cases in the literature.

Case presentation

A 50-year-old male patient came to our hospital for repeated diarrhea and flushing face for more than 2 years. The patient was hepatitis B virus carrier. Contrast-enhanced computed tomographic scan of the abdomen showed multiple tumors in both right and left hepatic lobes. An ultrasound-guided percutaneous needle biopsy was performed. Pathological examination of the biopsy showed the neoplasm were consisted of cells having an eosinophilic cytoplasm and round to oval hyperchromatic nuclei, indicating adenocarcinoma. To further identify the nature of the masses, immunohistochemical examination was performed, the result was positive for β-catenin, Ber-EP4, CgA, CK19, Syn, Ki-67 (3 %). Finally, the patient accepted transcatheter arterial chemoembolization treatment, and his symptoms did not occur ever after.

Clinical discussion

PHNET is neuroendocrine tumor which originates from liver, it is a rare disease. The main clinical manifestation of PHNET is abdominal pain, in comparison, abdominal mass, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and flushing are relatively rare,In our case, the patient had repeated diarrhea, and his face turned blushing each time when diarrhea occurred. Fine needle aspiration biopsy guided by ultrasound was made, after immunohistochemical examinations, the patient was diagnosed PHNET. Treatments of PHNET include surgical resection, chemotherapy, TACE, percutaneous ethanol injection treatment (PEIT) and transplantation. The patient accepted TACE treatment, his diarrhea and blushing face were controlled.

Conclusion

We reported a PHNET patient who had symptoms of repeated diarrhea and flushing face, and accepted transcatheter arterial chemoembolization treatment. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization is an effective treatment for PHNET patient with diarrhea.

Lanreotide autogel/depot in advanced enteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours: final results of the CLARINET open-label extension study

PURPOSE

In the phase III CLARINET study (NCT00353496), lanreotide autogel/depot (lanreotide) significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) vs placebo in patients with non-functioning intestinal or pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). The aim of CLARINET open-label extension (OLE) (NCT00842348) was to evaluate long-term safety and efficacy of lanreotide in these patients.

METHODS

Patients from the CLARINET study were eligible for the OLE if they had stable disease (irrespective of treatment group) or progressive disease (PD) (placebo-treated patients only). All patients in the OLE received lanreotide 120 mg every 28 days. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scans were conducted every 6 months and assessed locally for PD (the final scan was also assessed centrally).

RESULTS

Overall, 89 patients took part in the OLE (lanreotide, n = 42; placebo, n = 47). Median (range) exposure to lanreotide in patients who received lanreotide in the core study and OLE (LAN-LAN group) was 59.0 (26.0-102.3) months. In this group, the overall incidences of adverse events (AEs) and treatment-related AEs were lower in the OLE than in the core study. Median [95% CI] PFS in the LAN-LAN group was 38.5 [30.9; 59.4] months. In placebo-treated patients with PD at the end of the core study, time to death or subsequent PD during the OLE was 19 [10.1; 26.7] months.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides new evidence on the long-term safety profile and sustained anti-tumour effects of lanreotide autogel/depot in indolent and progressive metastatic intestinal or pancreatic NETs.

Effects of tumor origins and therapeutic options on the prognosis of hepatic neuroendocrine tumors: A retrospective study

Hepatic neuroendocrine tumors (HNETs) are uncommon neoplasms that can be subdivided into 2 types: primary and metastatic HNETs. Due to its rarity, heterogeneity and complexity, the diagnosis, treatment modalities and prognosis are still controversial.This retrospective study reviewed the effects of tumor origins and therapeutic options on the prognosis of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors with liver metastasis (GEP-NETLM) and primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumors (PHNETs), providing additional evidence for clinicians evaluating patients.HNETs consisted of PHNETs and GEP-NETLM. GEP-NETLM (76.2%, 112/147) was more common, which was mainly manifested as multiple lesions in both lobes of the liver. PHNETs were relatively rare (23.8%, 35/147) and were mainly single lesion located in the right lobe of the liver. In patients with GEP-NETLM, primary tumor resection could prolong survival (P = .044). As the most widely used treatment method, systematic therapy alone could not achieve a satisfactory survival. However, the combination with hepatectomy or liver-directed therapy improved the prognosis (P = .023). As the main treatment, patients with PHNETs treated with local therapy could achieve a better prognosis (P = .049). Compared with PHNETs patients, GEP-NETLM patients with higher ki-67 index showed higher mortality and poorer prognosis (P = .006).Therefore, patients with PHNETs can be distinguished from GEP-NETLM by comprehensive imaging examinations and long-term follow-ups. The choice of appropriate treatment strategies can improve the prognosis of HNETs patients.

Clinical Features and Long-Term Survival of Metastatic Hepatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms Secondary to Gastroenteropancreatic Site: An Analysis by Applying the Grading Classification

Method

Data of patients who were surgically treated and clinicopathologically diagnosed as (MH)-NENs secondary to (GEP)-NENs at West China Hospital of Sichuan University from January 2006 to December 2018 were retrospectively collected and analyzed by the grading classification for (GEP)-NENs.

Results

We identified 150 patients with (MH)-NENs secondary to (GEP)-NENs, including 10 patients with G1 NETs, 26 with G2 NETs, 33 with G3 NETs, and 81 with G3 NECs. There were significant differences between patients with G1/G2/G3 NETs and those with G3 NECs, such as age at diagnosis (P=0.041), synchronous liver lesion (P=0.032), incidental diagnosis (P=0.014), tumor largest diameter (P=0.047), vascular invasion (P=0.017), and extrahepatic metastatic disease (P=0.029). The estimated 3-year overall survival for patients with G1 NETs, G2 NETs, G3 NETs, and G3 NECs was 100%, 79.4%, 49.5%, and 20.7%, respectively (P < 0.001). The survival of G1 NETs or G2 NETs was significantly better than that of G3 NETs (P=0.013, P=0.037, respectively) and G3 NECs (P=0.001, P < 0.001; respectively). Patients with G3 NECs present notably worse survival than those with G3 NETs (P=0.012), while survival comparison between G1 NETs and G2 NETs was not statistically different (P=0.131). The grading classification for (GEP)-NENs was an effective independent predictor of survival for (MH)-NENs secondary to (GEP)-NENs (hazard ratio: 4.234; 95% confidence intervals: 1.984–6.763; P=0.003).

Conclusion

Our demonstration revealed that the grading classification for (GEP)-NENs could well stratify (MH)-NENs secondary to (GEP)-NENs into prognostic groups and supported its wide use in clinical practice.

Clinical characteristics and outcome of primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumors after comprehensive therapy

BACKGROUND

Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumors (PHNETs), a group of neuroendocrine neoplasms, are extremely rare. There are only few case reports about PHNETs in the literature. The lack of large samples and multicenter research results in poor diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

AIM

To discuss the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment of PHNETs and risk factors related to survival.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data, imaging features, immunohistochemistry data, and treatment efficacy of 40 patients who were pathologically diagnosed with PHNETs and admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 1, 2014 to November 15, 2019. Finally, survival analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for survival.

RESULTS

The main symptoms and signs included intermittent abdominal pain (19 patients, 47.5%) and bloating (8 patients, 20.0%). The positive rates of tested tumor markers were recorded as follows: Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) (6 patients, 15.0%), CA72-4 (3 patients, 7.5%), carcinoembryonic antigen (7 patients, 17.5%), and alpha-fetoprotein (6 patients, 15.0%). Immunohistochemical staining results showed positivity for Syn in 38 (97.4%) of 39 patients, for chromogranin A in 17 (65.4%) of 26 patients, for CD56 in 35 (94.6%) of 37 patients, for AE1/AE3 in 28 (87.5%) of 32 patients, and for Ki-67 in all 40 (100.0%) patients. The overall survival rate was significantly related to the tumor grade, AE1/AE3, and Ki-67. No significant correlation was found between other parameters (age, gender, tumor number, tumor size, metastasis, and treatment) and overall survival.

CONCLUSION

Higher grade, negative AE1/AE3, and higher Ki-67 are associated with a worse survival rate. Kinds of treatment and other parameters have no significant influence on overall survival.

Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumors: A case report

RATIONALE

Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumors (PHNET) are extremely rare, which makes it difficult for doctors not deeply to be aware of their imaging and pathological characteristics. Therefore, it is challenging to diagnose PHNET accurately without biopsy or surgical excision. The purpose of this study is PATIENT CONCERNS:: A 52-year-old male patient came to our outpatient department with intermittent upper abdominal pain.

DIAGNOSES

PHNET.

INTERVENTIONS

Biochemical examination and imaging examination were performed prior to operation. Liver tumors were removed by ultrasound scalpel under laparoscopy. Pathology examination of liver tumors was performed after operation. Symptomatic supportive treatment was performed after operation as well, including anti-inflammation and rehydration.

OUTCOMES

The results of biochemical examination were generally normal. The results of MRI showed low signal on T1WI, slightly high signal on T2WI/FS and DWI manifestation of high signal. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) showed that synaptophysin (Syn) was positive, CD56 was positive, chromaffin A (CgA) was positive, and Ki-67 was 15%. The patient was generally in good condition and no discomfort or recurrence was reported during 15 months of follow-up.

LESSONS

The incidence of PHNET is extremely low. Sometimes the patient has no cirrhosis or hepatitis, and alpha-fetoprotein is not high, but imaging examination shows solid occupation and clear boundaries of the liver tumor, for which doctors should consider the primary liver nerve tumor. The diagnosis of PHNET depends on pathological characteristics. Surgical excision is the main method to treat the disease.

Survival comparison between primary hepatic neuroendocrine neoplasms and primary pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms and the analysis on prognosis-related factors

BACKGROUND

Primary hepatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PHNENs) are extremely rare and few articles have compared the prognosis of PHNENs with other neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs). This study aimed to investigate the different prognosis between PHNENs and pancreatic NEN (PanNENs) and evaluate the relevant prognosis-related factors.

METHODS

From January 2012 to October 2016, a total of 44 NENs patients were enrolled and divided into two groups according to the primary tumor location which were named group PHNENs (liver; n = 12) and group PanNENs (pancreas; n = 32). Demographic, clinical characteristics and survival data were compared between the two groups with Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank tests. Prognostic factors were analyzed using the Cox regression model.

RESULTS

The overall survival of group PHNENs and group PanNENs were 25.4 ± 6.7 months and 39.8 ± 3.7 months, respectively (P = 0.037). The cumulative survival of group PanNENs was significantly higher than that of group PHNENs (P = 0.029). Univariate analysis revealed that sex, albumin, total bilirubin, total bile acid, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, α-fetoprotein and carbohydrate antigen 19-9, histological types, treatments and primary tumor site were the prognostic factors. Further multivariate analysis indicated that albumin (P = 0.008), histological types NEC (P = 0.035) and treatments (P = 0.005) were the independent prognostic factors. Based on the histological types, the cumulative survival of patients with well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor was significant higher than that of patients with poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma in group PHNENs (P = 0.022), but not in group PanNENs (P > 0.05). According to the different treatments, patients who received surgery had significantly higher cumulative survival than those with conservative treatment in both groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

PHNENs have lower survival compared to PanNENs. Histological types and treatments affect the prognosis. Surgical resection still remains the first line of treatment for resectable lesions and can significantly improve the survival.

Treatment of primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumors with associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS): A case report and literature review

RATIONALE

Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumors (PHNETs) are extremely rare and are difficult to diagnose preoperatively.We report a case of PHNET diagnosed preoperatively and successfully resected using associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS).

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 72-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for a hepatic mass, which was incidentally identified during a routine health checkup. The patient has no other obvious symptoms of discomfort.

DIAGNOSES

Physical examination revealed a palpable mass in the right upper quadrant of her abdomen. Dynamic contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed a low-density mass measuring 13 × 7 × 6 cm in both, the right and left hepatic lobes. F-fluorodesoxyglucose positron emission tomography (F-FDG PET) and fused PET/CT showed increased uptake by the mass, which was indicative of a hepatic tumor.

INTERVENTIONS

We use a novel ALPPS surgical procedure to safely and radically remove primary neuroendocrine tumors.

OUTCOMES

No postoperative bleeding and bile leakage were reported, and the patient recovered uneventfully.The patient was followed-up for a year without recurrence.

LESSONS

PHNETs are rare tumors, and confirming the diagnosis using the best possible preoperative examination is important. An optimal treatment plan is selected based on the patient's condition to ensure a favorable prognosis. Tumors too large to undergo surgical removal can be resected using the ALPPS procedure, as described in this case report.